Early New York City no number c. 1959 - 1961

Robert Frank made this work, Early New York City, which is a photogram, meaning he created it in the darkroom, not with a camera! It’s made up of strips of negatives and a piece of paper set against a black background. When I look at this, I imagine him in the darkroom – the red safe light, the smell of chemicals, the magic of images appearing in the developer. I wonder what he was thinking as he arranged the film strips. He's like a painter building up layers, making choices, and seeing how each element interacts. The images give glimpses into life – people in cars, interiors. The blank paper seems like a space of possibility, a pause, or a question mark. It reminds me of the way artists like Moholy-Nagy played with photography as a fine art medium, experimenting with light and composition. Artists are always pushing the boundaries of their media, finding new ways to see and express themselves. What does this photogram mean to you?